within the last few hours, the former south african president, nelson mandela, has been discharged from hospital. he spent several weeks and treatment. he also had an operation to remove gall stones. he was in good spirits when visited by the current president on christmas day. a statement said that he would receive home-based care at his residence in johannesburg. storms have battered large areas of the united states. it started on the golf coat -- gulf coast and is moving toward the northeast. it has claimed six lives and caused chaos. hundreds of flights were canceled. tens of thousands of people are without power. it has moved across texas, louisiana, and alabama and is gaining in strength. abc reports now from mobile, alabama. >> dozens of christmas tournedos terrorizing the south. eyewitnesses watching this monster. >> that is a tornado. wow/. look at that. >> first, at least 15 twisters pounding texas, touching down in louisiana, blasting through mississippi. >> we have a lot of people hurt. >> and wreaking havoc here where a funnel cloud was barreling across the city, lightning